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Residents, preservationists urge council to reconsider demolition of 1886 Trinity Church
Summary
Crown Point — Several residents and preservation advocates asked the City Council on March 3 to halt plans to demolish the former Trinity Church (built 1886) and permit rehabilitation by an identified buyer.
Crown Point — At Monday’s City Council meeting, multiple residents and a representative from Indiana Landmarks urged city leaders to stop plans to demolish the vacant 1886 Trinity Church and to allow a known buyer to rehabilitate the building instead.
Speakers said the structure is historically important to the neighborhood and argued demolition would be a permanent loss for future generations. Indiana Landmarks staff said preservation and a buyer’s rehabilitation would reinvest local labor and materials in the community rather than spending city funds for demolition.
What commenters said
Debbie Bill, a longtime resident, said the church is “just shy of 140 years old” and is structurally sound; she urged the council to allow a buyer with experience and resources to restore it. Roy Shannar delivered petition totals: he said neighbors provided 43 signatures plus an additional 103, totaling 146 signatures opposing demolition. Blake Swinehart of Indiana Landmarks told the council the Board of Works approved an $87,000 low bid for demolition and urged reconsideration, noting a buyer had been identified who planned to use local labor and historically accurate methods.
City action reported in public comments
Speakers said the Board of Works had already approved a demolition bid; no formal demolition motion or vote appeared on the City Council agenda at this meeting. Several speakers asked the council to re‑examine code and permit processes to permit rehabilitation instead of demolition.
What was not decided
The council did not take formal legislative action on the church during the March 3 meeting. Council members received public comments and did not announce a policy change or a reversal of the Board of Works action during the meeting.
Ending
Speakers left petitions and urged council members to work with preservation advocates and the identified buyer to explore alternatives to demolition. Council staff or the mayor did not announce an immediate change to the Board of Works’ earlier action at this session.
